An Innovative Tool to Detect Malnutrition in Infants and Their Moms

Children between 6 months and 5 years old can be screened for malnutrition using a simple tool, the mid-upper arm circumference tape, also known as the MUAC tape. But until recently, the only way to screen infants younger than 6 months has been by measuring their weight and height, which isn’t always possible in emergencies or remote areas far away from health centers. Based on WHO guidance, UNICEF has developed a new MUAC tape, designed specifically for infants from 6 weeks to 6 months old. The Mother-Infant MUAC tape allows for three critical checks: an infant’s nutritional status, an infant’s brain development and a mother’s nutritional status, because the well-being of mothers and infants goes hand in hand. Subscribe to UNICEF USA's YouTube Channel for the latest updates. To learn more about UNICEF and UNICEF USA, visit: https://www.unicefusa.org Read our stories about UNICEF in action: https://www.unicefusa.org/stories Follow UNICEF USA here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicefusa Twitter: https://twitter.com/UNICEFUSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNICEF-USA